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The Damned Thing, a review by addicted2dvd

Felt like an episode of Masters of Horror today... so thought I watch the next one that would be on this marathon. Will post here as I watch them... though won't really consider it a marathon anymore. 


The Damned Thing
Twenty-four years ago, outside a small Texas town, young Kevin Reddle watched helplessly as his oilman father brutally slaughtered his mother before being torn apart by an invisible force. Today the county Sheriff, Kevin (Sean Patrick Flanery of THE BOONDOCK SAINTS) remains haunted by memories of that night and the fear that "the damned thing" may someday return. Now as the citizens of Cloverdale explode into a homicidal frenzy, the one man who has uncovered the truth is about to meet his own horrific destiny. Marisa Coughlan (BOSTON LEGAL) and Ted Raimi (THE GRUDGE) co-star in this blood-soaked shocker written by Richard Christian Matheson from the classic short story by Ambrose Bierce.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this episode. I can't say that this one has an extreme amount of gore in it (unlike episodes like Pelts) but it don't shy away from the gore either. So if you are not a fan of the gore... there is a few scenes you may want to close your eyes for.

Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwrEYNhHBz4

(From Masters of Horror Marathon on February 16th, 2009)

The Contract, a review by Silence_of_Lambs

Summary:
Ray Keene (John Cusack), a father who wants to redeem himself in the eyes of his son (Jamie Anderson), is trying to bring Carden (Morgan Freeman), a world-class assassin to justice. All the while, he must protect his son and evade the assassin's team who are methodically hunting them down in the wilderness.

My Thoughts:
Now here we have a movie with a world-class start, that sadly can't keep up with its extremely promising beginning.
Very soon it's obvious that Cusack and Freeman are taking this as a routine-job. These two alone could make a movie sparkle, but both lack the necessary esprit for this here, so we learn that these two alone could pull a movie down to an average mass-production.
It's an entertaining movie, but it's only another variation of the old "Run & Hide"-genre.
The several implied subjects (father-/son conflict, or "the assassin as a tool of politics"), remain strangely flat and are miraculously solved at the end of the movie.
This movie is a "Must" for fans of either Cusack, Freeman or the genre. All others don't miss much if they never saw it. Most of it looks awfully familiar anyway.

My Rating: (out of possible 5)

(From Michael's random reviews on January 5th, 2011)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

GREY'S ANATOMY - SERIES ONE - PILOT - A HARD DAY'S NIGHT



Meet Meredith Grey. Daughter of famous surgeon Ellis Grey and currently recovering from a one-night stand. She shoos away her evening's companion, saying she'll be late for her first day of work. She is a first year intern at Seattle Grace Hospital and is working alongside some colorful characters. Cristina Yang is a highly competitive Stanford graduate who befriends Meredith. George O'Malley is a quirky warm hearted man who learns a lesson or two on his first day. Izzie Stevens is a former model who doesn't get any special treatment on her first day. And Alex Karev is an arrogant jerk who misdiagnoses a patient on his first shift. Overseeing them is Miranda Bailey, (not-so-) affectionately dubbed 'The Nazi'. Meredith also gets a surprise when she realizes that her friend from the night before is a co-worker, and even worse, her boss.

At the point of watching, this was winning my poll, and all I can say is thanks guys and gals! 
An excellent way to start a series, characters constructed with belief and artistry, touches of humour, drama and suspense.
This show appears gripping right off the bat. Well written, well acted and crafted to hook the viewer.
The strength of any series for me are the characters, and this is jam packed full of quality roles. George is funny with no idea with the ladies. Meredith a strong main character, and her relationship with Shepard will be interesting to watch develop. Miranda (Hitler) looks like a character I will enjoy watching.
Overall a great start, and is now at the top of my 'must see more' pile.
Only concern is how skinny Ellen Pompeo looks - is she anorexic??







(From My PILOT Marathon on May 18th, 2008)